There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die. Ecclesiastes 3:1-3:2 To Every Season. By Adrian *** Pluto stood at her timeless gate, the Queen sat upon her Crystal throne, the King ever by her side. Their only child, heir to the Crystal Throne, was born, and soon after the Dark Moon attacked. After this time of turmoil, the city began to rebuild and lived in peace and prosperity for a number of years. The Elder Senshi were as happy as they could remember, and it seemed that this time of joy would be endless. Yet all things come to an end, and soon Jupiter began to fall. *** Part I ?Mako.? ?Mako.? Silence. ?Mako, it?s time to go to bed.? She turns, looking at me with empty green eyes, once so full of life. She doesn?t remember me anymore. She doesn?t remember us anymore. Several lifetimes of memories, and they are almost all gone in just a few years. Oh Mako, why did this have to happen to you? You would think that with all that Ami?s accomplished in the past millenniums She would have found a cure to all the aliments of the human race. But no, you had to get one of the few that is still as puzzling now as it was in the Twentieth century. ?But my cake! It?s going to burn!.? ?I?ll take care of it Mako.? ?Promise?? ?Yes.? ?Okay then. But let me turn the heat up a little.? Of course, I don?t mention the fact that I?m sweating despite the brief nature of my uniform. ?It?s fine Mako. Let?s go to bed now.? ?Thank you for helping me, but I think Usa could have sent someone I know.? I know it?s useless. I know that. But I still can?t help but hope... ?Mako, It?s me. Mina-chan. Remember? Sailor V? Venus? Minako?? ?Nice to meet you Mina.? It?s not surprising that she still remembers Usagi now, months after she has forgotten even her daughter?s name. Her spirit is still strong inside her, and Makoto will never forget her duty, or lose her love for the princess. ?Now, tell Usa that I will be waiting for her in the garden tomorrow.? ?Yes Mako.? ?Goodnight,...? She shuts her eyes in concentration, trying to remember. ?Minako.? ?Ah yes, Minako. Goodnight, Mina-chan.? ?Goodnight Makoto.? I turn off the lights and the heat as I leave the room. Oh Mako, how it hurts to see you like this! I wipe the tears from my cheeks as I walk down the crystal hall. Of all the fates decreed to you, this is the cruelest. It would almost be better if she died in battle. Then at least her dignity would remain until the end. But to die while yet alive, slowly forgetting all that you love, until at last you are separated from us all? Oh Serenity! Why would the Crystal not cure her? *** Time passed. Days became weeks, weeks months, months years. Pluto stood at her timeless gate, the Queen sat upon her Crystal throne, the King ever by her side. Venus was the belle of the city, loved only second to the royal family. The young Princess of Jupiter petitioned as to taking up her mother?s role, and was greeted with much controversy. ?She is too young? said some, ?To inexperienced? added others; but Serenity remembered how she had battled at the age of fourteen, and granted the request. As her daughter donned the green and pink fuku of Jupiter for the first time, it is said that Makoto whispered her daughter?s now forgotten name, and smiled. Mars trained the new senshi, and the daughters of the old, telling them the stories and histories so that the past may not be forgotten. Mercury searched for a cure, and Jupiter fell farther away. *** Part II. I can?t believe how late I am! Glancing at my watch, I reflect on the need to buy a new alarm clock. This one just won?t wake me anymore. I think I?m turning into Usagi, sleeping in and running late. I walk faster down the hall, trying to make up for lost time. As I reach the top of the stairs, my foot catches on the soft carpeting and I fall through the air. Goodness, I AM turning into Usagi! And I wonder, why did Pluto slow time? ?She didn?t Rei.? It can?t be... ?Grandpa?? ?I?m here Rei.? ?But Grandpa! You?ve been dead for over a thousand years now!? I hear a deafening crack as I hit the marble ground. ?That doesn?t matter my Granddaughter.? ?OW!? ?What is it Rei?? ?My neck, it?s sore. I guess I slept on it wrong.? ?NO! REI!? ?Why is Ami screaming, Grandpa?? ?She saw you fall, Rei.? ?Oh, is that all?? ?Rei, are you all right?? ?I?m fine Ami. I?m just sleepy.? ?Where are you hurt?? ?Well, my neck?s sore. But it?s nothing serious.? I feel a drop of water fall on my cheek. ?Don?t Cry Ami. Why is she crying Grandpa?? ?She?s afraid.? ?But there is nothing to be afraid of now.? ?Don?t move Rei.? ?Why would I move, Ami? I want to go to sleep.? ?Rei, don?t leave us!? ?I?m not going anywhere.? My eyes start to close, and the ache in my neck fades away. ?REI!? ?Come, Rei. It?s time to go.? ?REI!? ?But Ami, she?s sad.? ?She will be fine Granddaughter? ?Promise?? ?Yes.? ?Ok then.? ?Rei, don?t leave us!? Oh Ami. We all must leave eventually. ?Chad?s waiting for you.? ?Chad!? ?Yes.? I grab my Grandpa?s hand and stand up. ?How is Chad?? ?The same as ever. He will be glad to see you again.? ?Just as long as he doesn?t sing!? Laughing, we walk into the golden light. *** Mars was buried with great honor and the city mourned her passing, yet life continued for those left behind. Time passed. Days became weeks, weeks months, months years. Pluto stood at her timeless gate, the Queen sat upon her Crystal throne, the King ever by her side. Venus took over the duties Mars had left unfinished, guiding the next generation in the service of Serenity. The Neo~Princess met a young man, and though he had no noble blood her parents did not forbid their courtship. Instead it was encouraged, and her parents smiled at each other as she waltzed across the floor in his arms. Perhaps they were remembering their own courtship, so long ago. Mercury continued in vain to find a cure as Jupiter fell farther away. *** Part III I put my hand against my stomach and sigh. Something I ate sure didn?t like me very much. ?Artimis, I?m going to go lie down. I don?t fell well.? I walk into my room and stretch out on my bed. I should change out of my uniform, but I?m so sleepy. I?ll just rest my eyes for a moment. ?Minna, remember the ball tonight.? ?When have I ever missed a party?? ?You have a point there.? We lie in silence for a few moments before he speaks again. ?What are you going to wear?? ?My gold dress.? ?Which one?? ?I don?t know. You pick.? ?The sleeveless one.? ?Ok, you?re the boss.? ?I haven?t been ?boss? in ages.? True that. ?Minako, you know you have those reports to finish.? ?They?ll wait until tomorrow.? ?Are you sure you?re Ok?? ?Yeah, I?m fine. Just feel a little queasy.? I close my eyes again. Neo-Queen Serenity walked softly into her friend?s room to find her sleeping soundly. ?Poor Minako, she?s been so tiered lately. I hate to wake her up.? Looking at the plate of cookies she was about to eat, she smiled. ?I?ll just throw another ball next week.? Serenity sat the platter on a small table and walked out, softly closing the door behind her. ?Minako.? ?Hummm?? ?Wake up.? ?Artimis, I really don?t want to get up...? I look and see him curled up on my stomach asleep. Then who.. ?Mina-chan.? I see a familiar person standing by my bed once again, one whom I haven?t seen in five years. ?REI!? She smiles at me. ?Greetings, Mina-chan.? ?Oh Rei! I missed you so much!? I jump up and fling my arms around her neck, ?I missed you too, my friend.? ?Rei, how are you?? ?I?m great. But I miss everybody a lot.? ?I?ll tell them you said hello.? She only smiles. ?Come with me Mina.? ?Sure, Rei. But will I miss the ball?? ?You already did.? ?What?? I look at the clock and see that it?s after one. ?Darn. I?m getting as lazy as Usagi!? Rei laughes. ?I said the same thing, once. Come on.? She walks to the door, then turns back to me. ?Where are we going?? ?Home.? ?But I thought...? ?That?s a first.? ?Death sure didn?t change you any, Rei.? ?I know.? I walk to where she is and take her outreached hand. ?Hey, my stomachache is gone! And look! Usagi brought me cookies!? Rei smiled. ?She never changes. Come on, let?s go.? My mouth waters, but I don?t feel like eating. I look back to see Artimis still lying on my stomach, sleeping soundly. Funny, I always thought death would hurt a lot more than this. *** The death of Venus sent the Crystal Kingdom into a period of mourning, Serenity taking this hardest of all. Yet Time passed. Days became weeks, weeks months, months years. Pluto stood at her timeless gate, the Queen sat upon her Crystal throne, the King ever by her side. The daughters of Mars and Venus took their places among the Elder Senshi, and eventually things began to return to normalcy. The Neo~Princess married her love and the city rejoiced at the match, Serenity most of all. Mercury, the last active member of the Elders took it upon herself to continue their training. And Jupiter fell farther away. *** Part IV ?Wake up Serenity.? The Queen of Crystal Tokyo rolled over in her sleep and snuggled closer against the King. ?Five more minutes Momma, I promise I won?t be late for school.? She murmured before promptly falling into deeper slumber. ?Usagi!? ?huh? Who is it? What TIME is it?? ?It?s two in the morning.? She rubs her eyes and groans. ?Don?t tell me it?s another attack.? The two glowing specters look at each other and shook their heads. ?I told you she?d be incoherent at this hour of the morning!? ?You think I didn?t know that?? ?Rei-chan? Mina-chan? Is it you?? ?Of course it is odango atama!? Usagi sat upright in her bed, and Mamrou rolled over, snoring. ?But- I thought you died!? ?We did.? ?Baka! We came to get you!? ?What?? ?Usagi, it?s time for you to come with us.? ?I can?t! What about the Kingdom?? ?Chibi-Usa has been grown for almost a hundred years. She will be a wonderful Queen.? ?But Mamo-chan! I can?t leave Mamo-chan!? ?I knew this would be a problem, Rei.? Rei sighed. ?Usagi, don?t worry. He will come soon.? ?Very soon.? Minako added. ?Of course he will. When he wakes up he?ll go crazy! He?ll suicide! I don?t want that!? ?So tell him.? She stared at them for a moment. ?But aren?t I dead?? ?Not yet baka!? ?Oh. Ok.? Rei shook her head as Usagi began to furiously shake her husband. ?Some things never change.? ?Tell me about it.? ?Mamo-chan! Wake up!? He groaned and opened one blue eye. ?What is it Usa? Can?t it wait till morning.? ?No. When I die, promise you won?t do anything crazy.? ?Huh?? ?Mamo-chan, when I die promise me that you?ll continue to live.? ?Usa, don?t talk like that.? ?Please?? Mamrou thought that his wife had a nightmare, so he did what was natural. ?I promise, Usa.? He whispered as he held her tightly. She kissed him softly. ?I?ll see you soon, Mamo-chan. Take care of Chibi- Usa for me, ok.? He yawned, and pulled the blankets over both of them. ?Ok, sweetheart.? ?Well, Usagi, lets go. Your mom is waiting.? ?Momma? And Daddy? and Shingo? And Naru?? ?Everybody.? Usagi smiled. ?And Mamrou will be ok?? ?Yes! let?s get going now!? ?Rei, calm down, I?m coming!? ?You know, Minna, she can?t even die on schedule.? ?Hey! I heard that!? With that, the Queen of Crystal Tokyo jumped out of bed and grabbed the waiting hands of two of her dearest friends. Endymon sat up in his bed. ?Usa?? he asked, afraid. ?Mamo-chan, soon we will be together again. Farewell for now, my love.? she whispered. At that moment their soul bond faded to near nothing, and he knew. ?USAKO!? His cry echoed through the palace *** The death of the Neo~Queen plunged the land into a sorrow it had not known sense the now distant Black Moon War. It seemed the sun would never rise again, and winter would last forever. But it was not true. Time passed. Days became weeks, weeks months, months years. Pluto stood at her timeless gate, the Crystal Throne stood empty, and Endymon continued to grieve. The concerns of the Kingdom still had to be attended to, however, and with the aid of his daughter the King took on the burden. Slowly, slowly, he came to terms with his wife?s death. Life continued on. Mercury dispaired of finding a cure, and she spent much of her time with Makoto; and also in the schools, telling the story of Usagi Serenity to those too young to remember the Neo~Queen All this, while Jupiter continued to fade. *** Part V ?What?s wrong Poppa?? I look at my daughter and smile. ?It?s nothing Chibi-usa. My shoulder?s just a little sore, that?s all.? Big surprise, the way everyone kept stabbing it back in the late twentieth century. It still aches on cold days. She smiles and glares at me, narrowing her large red eyes. ?You?ve been working all day, and even you need to have some fun too! Let?s go to the Gardens Poppa!? ?You know, Chibi-Usa, you are just like your Mother.? ?And you love it! Now let?s go!? We walk down the hallways, laughing and talking. I?m happier than I have been in months, sense Usako... left. ?Poppa?? ?Oh, I?m sorry Chibi-Usa.? ?Thinking of Momma again?? ?Yes.? ?I miss her too, Daddy, but you know she wants us to be happy.? I think of our last conversation and sigh. Yes, she wants us happy. But how did she know? And why in the name of Earth didn?t I wake up? Well I can?t change the past. Unless..... nah, Pluto would kill me. ?Poppa, Let?s stop by and take Mako-chan out.? I rub my shoulder absentmindedly as we walk down the hall. ?Good Idea Pumpkin.? Poor Mako, she doesn?t remember anything now. Except for Usagi... ...and she doesn?t realize that she?s...died. As we turn the corner the pain spreads across my chest, but I hardly realize it. There she is. Standing in all her glory, more beautiful than I ever thought possible; shimmering in the gossamer gown she wore so long ago, a soft golden glow surrounding her while two feathery wings spread from her back. ?Usako.? Her blue eyes stare into my soul. ?Mamo-chan.? She whispers. ?Usako.? I run to her, ignoring the frantic shouts of our daughter, not hearing the astonished gasps of the courtiers. ?USAKO!? I kiss her, all the grief and solitude I?ve felt sense her death vanishing with the taste of her lips. She pulls away from me and her eyes fill with tears. ?Mamo-chan. How I?ve missed you.? ?Not as much as I have you, my darling.? She smiles, her face lighting up with joy. Gods I have missed her. ?Come with me Mamo-chan? ?Anywhere? I whisper into her ear. I take her hand and we begin to walk down the corridor, the golden light intensifying. But then I am painfully reminded of my other true love. ?POPPA!? Chibi-Usa?s pain filled scream causes us both to stop and turn. She?s sobbing on the ground, kneeling beside.. me? ?Chibi-usa. Don?t cry.? ?Poppa, don?t you leave me too!? ?Oh my baby, please don?t cry.? I?ve always been a sucker for her tears. That, I believe, is why she could be so obnoxious when she was young. ?Poppa, don?t go.? I feel like I?m torn in two. Usagi rests a hand upon my shoulder. ?Chibi-Usa? she whispers. Our daughter looks up, her gorgeous red eyes filled with tears. ?M-mamma?? ?Chibi-Usa, it?s time for your father to come with me.? ?No! Don?t leave me alone!? ?You?ll never be alone. We will always be with you.? ?Please, Mamma..? ?Please, Daughter, let us go in peace.? She walks to her, and gently kisses her on the forehead. ?Goodbye is never forever. We will be together again.? ?Y-yes M-mamma.? I hold her tightly for one last time. ?I love you Chibi-Usa.? ?And I you.? I step away and take my Usako?s hand. The light swells, engulfing us both. The last thing I see is my precious daughter. *** The death of the Neo~ King caused much sorrow in the land, yet they rested easily knowing that he was at last with his Queen. Endymon had never fully recovered from her death, and his daughter knew that he was happy. ?After all,? she told her husband, ?Goodbye is not forever.? Time passed. Days became weeks, weeks months, months years. Pluto stood at her timeless gate, the new Queen sat upon her crystal throne with her King at her side. The land rejoiced at the double coronation, and they said things were once again as they should be. Mercury spent more and more of her time with the ailing Jupiter, as if to make atonement for her inability to cure her. Jupiter had not much longer to wait. *** Part VI ?Mako-chan.? Her dull green eyes continue to stare into space. ?Mako-chan, please eat.? I reach over and wipe the food from her chin. She hardly ever speaks anymore, only occasionally whispering Usagi?s name. I almost wish she had just died, like... like the others. Then she wouldn?t be reduced to this. The mighty Jupiter, Senshi of the Storm, the loyal and brave Kino Makoto.... Reduced to nothing. Forgetting everything, everyone. I remember her laughing face and sparkling eyes, and can hardly believe the same person sits before me. Oh Mako, I?ve failed you! Why couldn?t I find a cure? ?Usagi?? I look up and see her sitting suddenly erect. ?Mako-chan? Are you alright?? She seems to not hear me. ?Usagi-chan! You?re Back!? The dark, damp gray mists that have surrounded me for so long part slightly, and I relish seeing the sunlight again. Then I see her coming, walking towards me. As she nears, I realize that she is the source of the light. It burns away the cold mists, and I am once again able to think clearly. Filled with joy, I call to her. ?Usagi-chan! You?re Back!? The haze is destroyed by her light, and I can see them all now; standing before me and glowing brilliantly. They drive the horrid mist farther away. ?Usagi! Rei-chan! Minako! Mamrou! You?ve returned for me!? ?Of course we have, Mako!? I reach blindly for them. Please! Don?t let them leave, don?t let the mist return! ?Take me home!? I cry desperately. Usagi smiles. ?Of course Mako-chan. That?s why we?re here.? I grab her hand tightly and burst into tears. ?Don?t let it come back! Take me Home!? I feel myself lifted up, pulled into their waiting arms. ?Mako-chan, we?re going home.? Her eyes sparkle once again, and for a few moments she seems like the old Makoto. ?Usagi! Rei-chan! Ami-chan! Minako! Mamrou! You?ve returned for me!? She reaches her hands into the air and a smile of pure joy spreads across her face. ?Take me home!? She cries. Then, her eyes close and her breathing slows. ?Take me home? she whispers a final time. A peaceful smile spreads across her face ?Makoto? MAKO!? Tears fall steadily down my cheeks. I am the only one left. *** The passing of Jupiter was met with mixed emotion. It was a bittersweet time, for though she was sorely missed the people felt that her suffering was over. To them, Jupiter had been dead for decades. Her daughter smiled through her tears, and looked at her own child with renewed wonder. Time passed. Days became weeks, weeks months, months years. Pluto stood at her timeless gate, the Queen sat upon her crystal throne with her King at her side. Life continued, and the stories of past deeds and glories, of suffering and joy, of people and lands long dead were told to the children beside the fire. The Past was not forgotten. Mercury longed for the time she would join her people. *** Part VII I push the damp blue hair from my eyes and sigh. Looking around my desk at the piles of paper I feel completely overwhelmed. I don?t want to do this anymore. I look at the photographs on the wall, and fight back tears. There are so many memories there. I see Usagi and Mamrou on their wedding day so long ago, Makoto beaming while holding the bouquet she caught. All of us on a picnic one sunny day. Myself eating a hamburger. And so many, many more. Us sitting on the beach, playing in the park. Some pages from Minako?s scrapbook. Snapshots of us at the temple, and Makoto with a cake. They are all gone now, and it seems so long that I?ve been alone. A knock on the study door disrupts my thoughts. Nowadays, there?s only one person it could be. ?Come in Serenity-sama.? ?How many times must I tell you, Ami. Call me Chibi-Usa!? ?You are the Queen, M?lady, and deserve that respect. Now, to what do I owe the honor of this visit?? She smiles and shakes her head. ?You seemed so lonely lately, I wanted to cheer you up.? ?Chibi-Usa, you are just like your Mother.? ?That?s what Poppa always said. I also wanted to tell you something.? She smiles, a hundred-whatt grin she surely inherited from her mother. ?There?s going to be an addition to the royal family.? ?What?? ?Yes. My child will be born soon!? ?What did the King say?? ?He?s thrilled. Estatic. ?I am so glad.? She sighs and stands. ?I?m afraid I must leave now. I have to get ready for the state dinner. I wanted you to be the second person I told.? ?I understand.? ?Will you come tonight Ami?? I slowly shake my head. ?I don?t think so. I have an awful headache.? ?Well, I?ll see you tomorrow then. Goodnight, Ami? ?Goodnight, Chibi-Usa.? She shuts the door softly behind her and I walk to my bedroom. Turning off the lights I lay down and close my eyes, massaging my temples. My head is throbbing. ?Ami!? The pain intensifies for a moment, then all but disappears. I open my eyes to see the most beautiful sight in all my existence. They?ve come for me at last. *** The young Queen wept at the death of Mercury, for now the last of her mother?s time were gone. ?Who now will remember the battles they fought? Who will remember the ashes on the Moon, the battle in the Arctic wastes? Who will cherish that for which they suffered?? she asked, and for a time no one could answer. Time passed. Days became weeks, weeks months, months years. Pluto stood at her timeless gate, and longed for the time when she could lay down her burden and join those who went before. The Queen sat upon her crystal throne with her King at her side, and Life continued. The stories of the past long dead were told to the children beside the fire. Time Passed. Days became weeks, weeks months, months years. Pluto watched from her timeless gate as Chibi~ Usa fell victim to an assassin?s attack. Time Passed. Days became weeks, weeks months, months years. Pluto found a child, with garnet eyes and forest green hair, and passed on her staff. She wept with joy as she joined those she loved. Time Passed. Days became weeks, weeks months, months years. Things changed. The Crystal kingdom fell, and lay in ashes. It seemed that all was at an end. Yet one golden child survived, with the mark of the moon upon her brow and the blood of Serenity in her veins. As before, that blood lay buried while time flowed, and the past was forgotten. With the aid of the Crystal, her descendants rebuilt what was lost. They spread among the planets, and a time of peace descended upon all. It was called the Silver Millennium. *** There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. And Goodbye is never forever. Finis *** I don?t claim to own Sailor Moon ( I?d be stupid to do such a thing) PLEASE don?t sue me. I don?t have snot anyway. I didn?t know how to spell Chad?s Japanese name, I?m sorry. But I got the rest! Yeah ADRIAN!!! ::sounds of a cheering crowd, Adrian bows low:: Thanks to the great Naoko-sama. Need I say more? Thanks to my online proofreading friends, FiercNSide and Diane, They put up with all my spelling errors. This is dedicated to Melessia Tarrell, the nicest person I never met. Well, that?s about all for now. Fare thee well, and may the stars shine on our next meeting! --Adrian